Citibank

Citibank

 3.6/5 (1297 reviews)
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Overall Rating3.6 out of 5
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About Citibank

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Citibank is a global banking company that provides financial services to consumers, small businesses and corporations in nearly 160 countries. It’s known for its full-service banking products, which include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and investment products.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Worldwide presence
  • Robust credit card rewards program
  • Bank bonuses and promotions
  • No overdraft fees

Cons

  • Below-average interest rates on some deposit accounts
  • Some monthly fees
  • Account details not clearly stated on website

Bottom Line

As one of the largest banks in the U.S., Citibank offers a range of financial products and services, including banking, credit cards, investments and loans. Although it has a full lineup of products, it's most known for its credit card rewards program and banking packages, which give customers access to special perks.

Top Citibank Reviews

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Rated with 5 stars
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If you want an excellent way to contact Citibank support, with a real person, fast response and an excellent support agent, forget using their mobile app. Text Citibank through Me...

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Rated with 5 stars
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I’ve only been with Citibank for a short time but I have been pleased with the customer service. I normally use the app or website to get service but I have on occasion called in ...

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What is Citibank?

Citibank is a global bank and one of the largest financial institutions in the world. It’s a subsidiary of Citigroup, a multinational investment banking and financial services corporation. Collectively, the company manages more than $1.7 trillion in assets, according to the Federal Reserve at the time of publishing.

Citibank has a significant presence around the world, with operations in almost 160 countries and territories. This global reach makes Citibank a preferred bank for international travelers and businesses, as it offers a seamless banking experience across different countries and currencies.

How does Citibank work?

Opening an account with Citibank is generally a straightforward process. Customers can apply for an account online, over the phone or in person at a branch location. To open an account, you need to provide personal identification information, such as your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number. You might also need to provide proof of income and employment.

Citibank offers a range of relationship perks to its customers, depending on the type of account you have and your level of banking activity. For example, some accounts offer higher interest rates or waived fees for certain transactions.

Citibank also offers rewards programs for its credit cards, which allow customers to earn points or cash back for purchases.

Citibank products and services

Citibank offers a variety of products and services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and investment products.

Unless you’re a Citigold customer, all of Citibank’s checking accounts have monthly fees — but they can be waived when you meet certain account requirements.

Its Access Account, Basic Banking and Citibank Account packages are ideal for everyday banking needs, while its Citi Priority, Citigold and Citigold Private Client packages are best for those needing wealth management services. Perks vary by account package but can include ATM reimbursements, preferred rates, pricing and travel benefits, and more.

At the time of publishing, you can earn up to $2,000 when you open a new Citibank checking account.

The Citibank Savings Account comes with different perks, features and fees depending on which banking package you have (Access, Basic Banking, Citibank, Citi Priority, Citigold or Citigold Private Client). At the time of publishing, you can earn up to $5,000 when you open a new Citibank savings account.

Citibank certificates of deposit (CDs) and banking IRAs offer fixed interest rates for a set term. Rates vary by term, but select CD options have competitive yields that rival online banks.

Citibank offers a wide range of credit cards with rewards programs that offer cash back, points and miles. Some cards have no annual fee, while others offer premium benefits like airport lounge access or hotel benefits.

Citibank also has cards designed for balance transfers or those with fair or poor credit, making it easier to find a card that fits individual needs.

Citibank has several loan options for borrowers, including personal loans, lines of credit, mortgages and small business loans. It has several loan calculators on its site to help you estimate your borrowing power.
Citibank offers a range of wealth management services for its Citigold, Citigold Private Client and Citi Priority customers. These services include investment management, estate planning and retirement planning and are typically available through a dedicated relationship manager or financial advisor.

Citibank fees

Citibank does not charge fees for overdrafts or returned items. However, its checking and savings accounts have monthly fees that range from $0 to $30, depending on your banking package.

There are multiple ways to waive these monthly fees, such as making a qualifying direct deposit each month or maintaining a combined minimum monthly balance across all Citibank accounts.

In addition to monthly maintenance, Citibank may also charge the following:

  • $2.50 for using an out-of-network ATM
  • $30 for stop payment request
  • $15 for incoming domestic and international wires
  • $25 to $35 for outgoing domestic wires
  • $35 to $45 for outgoing international wires

Citibank FAQ

How do I earn ThankYou points with a Citibank checking account?

As of July 2022, checking account customers can no longer enroll in Citi’s ThankYou Rewards program, which lets you earn points for completing certain banking activities. Now, the only way to earn points is through an eligible Citibank credit card.

Does Citibank use Zelle?

Yes, Citibank does use Zelle, a digital payment network that allows users to send and receive money quickly and easily between participating banks and credit unions.

How do I redeem my Citibank credit card rewards?

To redeem Citibank credit card rewards, you can log in to your account online or through the mobile app, navigate to the rewards center and select the reward you want to redeem.

How do I update my personal information on my Citibank account?

To update your personal information, log in to your Citibank account online or through the mobile app and navigate to the account settings section. There should be an area to update your information as needed. Alternatively, you can contact Citibank customer service to update your information over the phone.

Is Citibank legit?

Citibank is a reputable and well-established financial institution with a long history of providing quality banking services to customers around the world. While the company may charge certain fees related to its banking services, it offers a wide range of products and services to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and governments.

Citibank is a good choice for individuals who need access to a global network of ATMs and physical branch locations. Its products are designed to meet the needs of its customers at various life stages and their financial goals.

Citibank Reviews

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Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
Rated with 1 star
Verified Reviewer
Original review: May 26, 2023

I recently applied for this shitty credit card and regretting now as I tried using this card to book airline tickets and it refused to do it and put a fraudulent alert on my account even though I put a large purchase notice in the system.. After doing multiple calls to the customer care they basically follow these useless steps again & again with no luck validating- 1. Do you have any other credit card that we can use to validate? 2. Any other citi checking account or debit card - It does not work either. 3. Alternate phone number- Why would anyone have 2-3 different phone numbers. 4. After all these failed, they send you some physical letters which never arrives in your mailbox.. I have been in lookout for that letter since long and I never received it.. This system is totally ** up.. Save your time and do not apply for this credit card.. I have other different credit cards and they have no such ** issues

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Rated with 1 star
Verified Reviewer
Original review: May 26, 2023

I met all requirements for getting a 450$ bonus for opening an accelerated savings account. I even called right after opening the account to ensure I am eligible for the promotion. However, after I met all the deposit requirement, Citibank will not honor the promotion, and refuse to give me exact reasoning for why I can not get the bonus. There is no direct way to talk with the people on the "back end" making those decisions for the dispute. In my view, it's a clear fraud and Citibank is purposefully deceiving its customers.

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    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 23, 2023

    I asked to have my account closed twice and they didn't execute the request correctly, then charged me an annual fee again, and would not waive the fee, so it cost me $99 to close my account. Honestly, still have no confidence that it is done correctly now. I would not recommend this financial institution to anyone for anything. There are just too many better options out there.

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    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 22, 2023

    I recently had an experience with Citibank's customer service while trying to resolve a denial problem with my new credit card. Unfortunately, the level of service I received fell far below my expectations, leaving me feeling frustrated and dissatisfied. One of the major issues I encountered was the lack of effective assistance from the customer service representatives. It became apparent that they were located in another country and seemed unfamiliar with the necessary protocols to address and resolve the issues at hand. This made the process of resolving my problem unnecessarily complicated and time-consuming.

    The verification process proved to be particularly problematic. Despite providing the requested information, I was unable to complete the verification through the text message system. Specifically, I had issues with verification via my AT&T phone number, which prevented me from accessing the benefits and functionalities of my credit card in a timely manner. This not only caused inconvenience but also hindered my ability to make timely payments. The most significant inconvenience in this entire ordeal was the delay in card activation. I was informed that I would have to wait for a physical letter to arrive, which would take approximately two weeks, before I could start using the card. This unnecessary delay further added to the frustration and hindered my ability to pay invoices promptly.

    In light of my experiences, I believe it is important to approach Citibank credit card applications with caution. While I cannot speak to the experiences of every customer, my encounter with their customer service was far from satisfactory. The lack of efficient problem-solving, challenges with the verification process (specifically with AT&T), and the extensive delays in card activation underscore the need for improvement in their customer service operations. Considering the issues I faced, I would recommend exploring alternative options before applying for a Citibank credit card. It is crucial to choose a financial institution that prioritizes responsive and reliable customer service to ensure a smoother and more satisfactory experience.

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    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 20, 2023

    Applied for card from AA site, was suspose to get account number to use on aa site did not. Called aa and cut and they said we had to wait 10 bus days to get card and use it. By then flights will be gone. I can’t believe people pay 99 a year for this kind of service. Went to Capital One, got a card and access to use it within min. Don’t use Citibank

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    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 19, 2023

    I got my first business credit card through Citibank to help move money around. The time to use it came up while I was in the middle of moving and needed to squeeze extra cash out to get an investment to make some money that week and I had to pay down a $500 to complete the $1000 purchase and come to find out the hard way that Citibank transfers take 7-10 business days. I ended up going into debt with the money being taken out of my account, payroll hitting that week and unable to complete the investment so no money was made either.

    I decided to give them another chance with a Debit account and I set it up online and put $1000 in the account they flagged me for suspicious activity but still took the money and nobody on the phone was able to pull up my account with my social or anything. I had to borrow money to pay rent and still trying to get that $1000 back. This establishment needs to be closed and social media needs to cancel this shady bank.

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    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 10, 2023

    I sent the below request to the customer service center in San Antonio, Texas on March 22 and have not received a response. I then sent the same request to the address on the 1099 in Long Island City, NY on April 17 and have not received a response. Maybe I will get a response by posting my issue as a review. I recently received the enclosed IRS From 1099-C Cancellation of Debt for account number for calendar year 2022. This account was closed in 2019. Therefore, there could be no cancellation of debt in 2022. Furthermore, when the account was closed, the outstanding balance on the Checking Plus was 0. Therefore, there was never a cancellation of debt at any time. Please issue a corrected Form 1099-C and notify the IRS that the amount of debt discharged is 0 so that a Citibank error does not result in paying income tax on non-existent income.

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    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 9, 2023

    I opened an online CitiBank Savings account to take advantage of attractive interest rates. After opening the account, I made two deposits on separate days, one for $1,000 and another for $10,000 for a total of $11,000. The life of the account literally only had those two transactions. After the 2nd deposit I was unable to access my account and was directed to their fraud department. During the correspondence I was informed the account was closed and not given any specific reason for the closure and it may take up to 60 days for my funds to be returned.

    After further investigation I found that Citi is widely known for this type of predatory behavior among customers. During my research I found a number (210-357-4032) for the Citi executive response team. I talked with them, they were civil and polite, and I was able get a bit more information. They indicated the account can be closed without cause and they executed that right, but again, deflecting any real reason why the account was closed. They also indicated the funds may or may not be returned based on an internal investigation of which I have no idea what that investigation revolves around?

    My concerns with all this are:

    • I really don’t know if I’ll get my funds back.
    • The secrecy of these transactions seems incredibly predatory given that Citi is given an interest free loan for 60 days from x-number of customers (including myself).

    • If the account closure is based on a concern that revolves around fraud and is indeed for my protection, there has been no outreach from Citi to rectify the issue.

    • There is no due process regarding the Citi internal investigation which involves the affected party, in this case myself. My sense this is an actionable legal item if pressed?

    • With the state of the banking industry incredibly surprised, any bank would act in this fashion considering I was depositing funds into the account.

    To me this represents a clear breach of the Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA) and would encourage third party intervention as part of the remediation. I have no concerns in regard to closing an account, my concern is opening an account and then holding customer funds for 60 days without due process or minimally a remediation attempt to satisfy the customer within EFAA timeframe.

    2 people found this review helpful
    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 5, 2023

    For starters they promised me for months that they would give me back my deposit for my secured card. Last week employee even took my bank account and routing info to deposit my deposit via direct deposit. I’m now being told that my deposit went to pay off my card and the amount I paid off was only late fees and interest, and that they won’t give me my deposit back. Yet why did they take my personal info last week? Seems a bit odd. Stealing customer's info and giving false information! If I was you I’d steer clear of this please! Go to a credit union!

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    Rated with 1 star
    Verified Reviewer
    Original review: May 2, 2023

    I have money held in a high yield savings account. For whatever reason ... I cannot access these funds. No one at Citibank can tell me why. This bank is terrible. Too big. Sloppy. Outsourced Customer service to people reading from scripts who suck at simple troubleshooting and communication. I would caution using any of their banking products. They have very little means or manner of troubleshooting. You can in some instances run into trouble accessing your own funds.

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    Citibank Company Information

    Company Name:
    Citibank
    Year Founded:
    1812
    Address:
    100 Citibank Drive
    City:
    San Antonio
    State/Province:
    TX
    Postal Code:
    78245
    Country:
    United States
    Website:
    www.citi.com